Apparatus for rearranging containers



L A m R E B E w I w PPARATUS FOR REARRANGING CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS, Mllhm J.

Filed March '4, 1954 Charles J. ck msma 31, 1955 w. J. WEBER ETAL 2509,5113 APPARATUS FOR REARRANGING CONTAINERSH Filed March 4, 19 54 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. Mniam J la/ed ek fi hmay A'lftwne u V 2 By cahrles arRadfCafitlg May 1: 1955 w. J. WEBER ETAL 2,709,513

' APPARATUS FOR REARRANGING CONTAINERS Filed March 4. 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG 5 A it any.

y ,19 w. .1 WEBER ETAL 2,709,513

' APPARATUS FOR REARRANGING CONTAINERS- Filed March 4. 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4" INVEN 0R5.

Mlhnm h/el-er Clmrles Roe/[Castle M hired States Patefl AFFARATUF; FQR REARRANGING C(DNTAINERS i filiiam .l. Weber, Fulton, and Charles J. Rockcastle,

Syracuse, 1., assignors to ()swego Falls Corporatime, Fulton, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 4, 1954, Serial No. 414,038

4- Claims. (Cl. 198---31) This invention relates to apparatus for arranging containers advanced in a single file procession into a desired group pattern. More particularly, the apparatus functions to arrange containers, rectangular in cross section, advanced in a single file procession in pairs with selected side panels of the containers of each pair in confronting relation. The containers shown in the disclosed embodiment of the invention are representative of the type disclosed in Patent No. 2,470,984, issued to R. H. Horning, May 24, 1949. These containers are rectangular in cross section, formed of paperboard, and are now used extensively for the packaging of dairy products, such as milk and cream.

There are instances where it is desirable to secure these containers together in pairs to provide a multi-unit package.

The invention has as an object apparatus of the type referred to embodying a particularly simple structural arrangement, cooperable with the conveyor systems of conventional type, for arranging the containers advanced in a single file procession into groups or pairs, and with selected side panels of the containers of each pair in confronting relation.

The invention has as a further object, an apparatus as above referred to embodying an arrangement which functions with only one moving part and which does not require the application of power, or other means, in its operation.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus embodying our invention.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing initial operation of the apparatus with a pair of containers selected from the single file procession.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, illustrating the arrangement with the pair of selected containers being advanced forwardly slightly from the position shown in Figure 2, and showing a second pair being initially selected from the single file procession.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, illustrating further advancement of the pairs of selected containers.

Figure 5 is a view similar to the preceding views, illustrating the first selected pair of containers advanced from the position shown in Figure 4 and with one of the containers engaging the turning abutment, the second pair of selected containers being advanced to a position approaching that occupied by the first pair of containers in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a view similar to the preceding figures illustrating the turning movement of one of the containers of the first pair engaging the turning abutment and with the second pair of selected containers now being advanced toward the position occupied by the first pair of containers in Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a view similar to the preceding figures in which the first pair of selected containers have been arranged with their selected panels in confronting relation and with the containers arranged in alinement in side by side relation.

Figure 8 is a sectional View taken on line 8--8, Figure 7.

The containers are advanced in single file procession by a suitable conveyor. In a packaging plant, such as a dairy, the containers are advanced in single file procession from the container filling machine. The conveyor shown is of the endless belt type frictionally engaging the bottoms of the containers.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, the conveyor belt consists of a series of plates it) pivotally connected together to form an endless belt or chain passing over suitable driving sprockets at each end of the conveyor frame. The conveyor further consists of suitable guide rails ll, 12, extending along opposite sides of the belt 1% for guiding the containers during their advancement by the belt. The conveyor shown is of conventional type used in dairy operation. The conveyor 15 extends from the container filling machine and serves to advance a series of containers with selected side: panels S of the containers extending in the same direction.

The apparatus includes a second conveyor having a belt 13, complemental to the belt 10, this belt extending in parallel adjacency to the belt 10 and being preferably operated at the same speed or in synchronism therewith. A container engaging member 14 is mounted in juxtaposition to one side of the conveyor 10. This member functions to move one of a pair of containers presented to the member by the conveyor lit) over an arcuate path to transfer the container from the conveyor 10 to the conveyor 13. In the embodiment of the apparatus shown, the member 14 is in the form of a star wheel mounted upon a shaft 15 journalled vertically in a bracket 16, the member 14 being formed with a plurality, in this instance, four radially extending arms 17, 18, 19 and 20. The outer end portions 21 of the arms are curved in a counter-clockwise direction and terminate in a flat container engaging surface 22, the surfaces 22 extending at a slight angle to the arms 17.

The container engaging members 14 are positioned so that the arms l7-2tl extend over the conveyor belt 10, and means is provided for normally maintaining the engaging member with one of its arms overhanging the conveyor lb, and yicldingly restraining rotation of the member. Each of the arms l72tl is provided at its under side with an inverted socket member 23 engaged by a spring pressed detent 2 mounted in a bracket 25. The engagement between the detent 24 and the sockets 23 is such that two or more containers must be present and in abutting relation, with the first container of the pair engaging the arm overhanging the conveyor 10, before suflicient pressure is exerted against the arm of the member M- to rerease it from the detent :34. With two or more containers so presented, the frictional engagement between the belt ill and the series of containers effects sufficient pressure against the arm overhanging the conveyor lit to overcome the resistance of the deteat and effecting rotation of the member 14. This permits the first container A of the series to move forwardly on the conveyor belt it The rotation of the member 14 brings the end edge or surface 22 of the adjacent arm '20 into engagement with the rear side 26 of the second container A of the series. The container A continues to be advanced by the conveyor it and as soon as the container A has been moved onto the conveyor 13, it is ad vanced thereby. Figure 2 illustrates the container A being moved onto the conveyor 13.

As the pair of containers A, A advance, the selected side panel S of the container A engages an abutment 39 and at the time of this engagement, the container A is in somewhat of an angular relation to the axis of the conveyor 10. This engagement with the abutment 30 as illus trated in Figure 4 effects, during the forward advancement of the container, a slight turning movement about the vertical axis of the container, as illustrated in igures 4 and 5, whereby the container is arranged in substantially the same position it was in the advancing procession up stream from the member 14that is, with the selected side panel S confronting the conveyor 13. In the meantime, the second container A of the pair has been advanced out of engagement with the arm 1'7 and is advanced by the conveyor 13, but with the selected side panel S extending in angular relation to the conveyor 13, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

An abutment 32 is arranged in juxtaposition to the conveyor 13 for engagement by the inner leading corner portion 34 of the container A, see Figure 5. The abutment 30 may take the form of a guard rail extending between the conveyors 10, 13, and the abutment 32 may be conveniently attached to the member 343 down stream from the forward end thereof. With the conveyor 13 exerting continuous forward pressure on the container A and with its inner leading corner portion 34 engaging the abutment 32, rotation is imparted to the container A about its vertical axis, see Figure 6, causing the selected side panel S to face in confronting relation with the conveyor 10 and, of course, with the selected side panel S of the container A being advanced by the conveyor 10.

The guard rail 12 is formed with an arc-hate portion 36 extending over the conveyor 13 approximately concentrically of the shaft 15. The conveyor 13 is provided with an outer guard rail 33 starting in proximity to the end portion of rail 12 and extending down stream to a stop member 39 extending transversely of the conveyor 13. The intermediate portion of the rail 38 is curved outwardly, as at 40, this curvature being located in relation to the abutment 32 to permit rotation of the container A as it engages the abutment, see Figures and 6. As container A is advanced from the abutment 32, its selected side panel S is in confronting relation with the selected side panel of the container A, and both containers are advanced until they engage the stop member or members 39, see Figure 7, and at this time the pair of containers A, A are arranged in alined registration with their selected side panels S in confronting relation.

With this arrangement, it will be observed that the containers are acted upon in pairs, the next succeeding pair of containers 3, B, being handled the same manner. The resistance offered by the detent 24 is sufficient to restrain rotation of the container engaging member 14 in the event only one container is presented thereto. In other Words, the apparatus functions to handle the containers in pairs, with the result that one container of each pair proceeds along the first conveyor 10, maintaining its prior position or relationship, and the second container of the pair is transferred to the second conveyor and, during its advancement, is rc-arranged so that its selected panel is in confronting relation with the selected panel of the first container of the pair on the conveyor 10.

The specific embodiment shown has numerous advantages in that the star wheel type of container engaging member is economical to form and mount on a conventional conveyor, and its operation does not require the application of power, or complicated control mechanism.

What we claim is:

1. Apparatus for arranging containers rectangular in cross section advanced in single file procession, in pairs with selected side panels of the containers of each pair in confronting relation comprising a continuously moving conveyor operable to advance a single file procession of containers, a second continuously moving conveyor extending in parallel adjacency to said first conveyor, the containers advancing on said first conveyor having selected side panels facing said second conveyor, a container engaging member positioned to be engaged by containers advancing in single file procession on said first conveyor, said member being immovable by engagement by a single container in said single file procession and being movable upon a second container in said procession abutting said single container to permit said first container to advance on said first conveyor, and to simultaneously move said second container over a circular path to said second conveyor, means cooperable with said second conveyor to effect rotation of the containers advancing thereon about a vertical axis to bring the selected side panels of said containers into confronting relation to the selected side panels of the containers advancing from said container engaging member on said first conveyor, and a stop member positioned to stop the advancement of the containers on both conveyors in aligned side by side relation.

2. Apparatus for arranging containers rectangular in cross section advanced in single file procession, in pairs with selected side panels of the containers of each pair in confronting relation comprising a continuously moving conveyor operable to advance a single file procession of containers, a second continuously moving conveyor extending in parallel adjacency to said first conveyor, the containers advancing on said first conveyor having selected side panels facing said second conveyor, a container engaging member mounted in juxtaposition to said first conveyor and being operable upon the presence of two containers of said single file procession in proximity to said member to move one of said two containers over a circular path from said first conveyor to said second conveyor, means cooperable with said second conveyor to effect rotation of the containers advancing on said second conveyor about a vertical axis to bring the selected side panels of said containers into confronting relation to the selected side panels of the containers advancing on said first conveyor from said container engaging member, and a stop operable to stop the advancement of the containers on both conveyors in alined side by side relation.

Apparatus for arranging containers rectangular in cross section advanced in single file procession in pairs with selected side panels of the containers of each pair in confronting relation comprising a continuously moving conveyor operable to advance a single file procession of containers, a second continuously moving conveyor extending in parallel adjacency to said first conveyor, the containers advancing on said first conveyor having selected side panels facing said second conveyor, a container engaging member mounted in juxtaposition to said first conveyor and being operable upon the presence of two containers of said single file procession in proximity to said member to move one of said two containers over a circular path from said first conveyor to said second conveyor, an abutment positioned on the down stream side of said container engaging member for engagement by the inner leading corner portions of the containers advancing on said second conveyor, whereby rotation is imparted to said engaged containers to bring the said selected panels of said engaged containers in confronting relation to the elected panels of the containers on said first conveyor from said container engaging member, and a stop operable to stop the advancement of the containers on both conveyors in aligned side by side relation.

4. Apparatus for arranging containers advanced in single file procession in pairs with selected side panels of the containers of each pair in confronting relation, comprising a conveyor operable to advance a single file procession of containers, a second conveyor arranged in parallel adjacency to said first conveyor, a container engaging member journalled for rotation about a vertical axis ar ranged at one side of said first conveyor, said rotatable member having arms extending radially from said axis over said first conveyor and partially over said second conveyor, means yieldingly positioning said member with one arm extending substantially perpendicular to said conveyors for engagement by a container advanced in said single file procession by said first conveyor, said member having its next adjacent arm extending substantially parallel to the outer side of said first conveyor for engagement With the next succeeding container in said procession, said first container being operable in its advancement to effect rotation of said rotatable container engaging member, and said adjacent arm being operable during such rotation to engage and move said next succeeding container over an arcuate path from said first conveyor to said second conveyor, a partition member positioned between said conveyors adjacent said rotatable member on the down stream side thereof for engaging the confronting sides of said pair of containers being advanced by said conveyors to move said confronting sides in parallel relation, a projection overhanging said second conveyor and being positioned adjacent the inner edge thereof downstream from said partition member for engaging the inner leading corners of the containers advancing on said second conveyor to effect rotation of said last-mentioned containers about a vertical axis to bring the then advancing sides of said containers No references cited. 

